THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL
Concept Program
THE ‘CONCEPT’ PROGRAM FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS’ AT THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL
(Replacing our current high achievers’ program)
The ‘Concept’ program runs from year 7 to year 9 and is designed to cater for students who have a love of learning. The program is designed to extend and challenge these students whilst engaging with the mainstream curriculum. Students develop their skills and knowledge by exploring content at a conceptual level, emphasising depth of understanding. Students are expected to make links between the key learning areas through the areas of interdisciplinary learning; Relationships, Health, Sustainability, Community and Information Communication Technology.
By taking part in ‘Concept’ students learn to take responsibility for their own learning and develop life-long learning strategies.
Students in ‘Concept’ will be part of our iPad program. Each student requires their own iPad for use during all their classes. If students already have an iPad they may use that or if one needs to be purchased we recommend Network Neighbourhood as a provider (see link below). Being involved in the iPad program reduces the number of resources students will need to purchase prior to the school year. Please do not purchase any textbooks for English, Science or Humanities or a calculator for Maths.
How is Concept structured?
Learner characteristics – At the center of the program is ‘The Learner’. Drawing from the work of Art Costa and his ‘Habits of mind’ we have a set of learner characteristics that we believe will create lifelong learners. These are:
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mindfulness
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persistence
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flexible, deliberate thinking
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empathy
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inquiry and curiosity
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independence
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interdependence
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humor
Throughout the program, students will engage in learning that explicitly refers to and develops these learner characteristics.
Interdisciplinary learning – There are six areas of interdisciplinary learning. These areas combined with the learner characteristics provide Concept with its core focus. Teaching subjects through these areas allows learning to focus on attitudes, values and skills.
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Learning to learn – develops understanding of the available strategies and when to use them. Students are enabled to take responsibility for their own learning.
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Community – considers how students interact with their immediate family, classmates, local and global communities.
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Health – considers physical, social and emotional health and key aspects of human development.
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Relationships – students initiate, maintain and manage positive social relationships with a range of people in a range of contexts. Through relationships individuals become linked to society, develop a sense of belonging and learn to live and work with others.
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Sustainability – develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living.
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ICT – focuses on providing students with the tools needed to transform and enrich their learning environment.
Subjects
The program has a strong subject focus with students studying English, mathematics, science, and humanities. Technology, The Arts, languages and physical education will be delivered through our mainstream program, but students will remain in their Concept class group.
If you have any questions please email Paul Mameghan.
Applications for Concept in 2017 will open soon.
